Leonie Saft

I am a senior consultant in clinical pathology and team leader of the division of Hematopathology and Flow Cytometry at Karolinska University Laboratory (KUL), Solna. I studied medicine in Germany (Philipps University Marburg, 1988/89; J.W. Goethe University, Frankfurt, 1989–1994) and in the USA (University of Texas Medical Branch, UTMB, Galveston, Texas, 1994–95), earning both German and American medical degrees. I obtained my doctoral degree in 1996 at J.W. Goethe University in Frankfurt with a dissertation on nosocomial Aspergillus infections. After a period of clinical work in hematology/oncology (Klinikum Darmstadt, Germany), I performed my specialist training in Clinical Pathology (Leipzig, 1997–98; Uppsala, 1999–2001; and since 2001 Karolinska University Hospital) and became specialist in 2003 with subspecializations in neuro-oncopathology and hematopathology.

Following my PhD studies at Karolinska Institute, Huddinge (2008-2013) and thesis defence (2013) on Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) (supervisor: Prof. Eva Hellström-Lindberg), I participated as a reference pathologist in several clinical trials by the Nordic MDS Group. In addition, I became involved in International Multicenter Studies (European Leuk Net MDS Flow Working Group) to explore the role of flow cytometry in unexplained cytopenias and suspected MDS. I am currently engaged in clinical research projects with other units at Karolinska University Laboratory, focusing on the molecular characterization of lymphoma and  acute pediatric leukemias as part of Genomic Medicine Sweden (GMS). Additionally, I am local PI in a bilateral research project aiming at identifying potential precursor stages of lymphoma in lymphoid tissues. I also lead a research project on the development of AI-based tools in bone marrow diagnostics for implementation in routine diagnostics (Clinical Fellowship 2022–2024, CIMV, Linköping University).

Since 2001, I have been teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at Karolinska Institutet. I have served as course leader for specialist training courses and have participated as a teacher in international courses. Since 2024, I am visiting professor at Semmelweis University in Budapest, teaching in the medical program.